Montgomery Parks showed off its eco-friendly electric equipment Wednesday with a hands-on demonstration.
The county is moving from gas-powered tools and equipment to electric power for a “more sustainable park operations and maintance practices,” according to a news release.
The goal is to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.
The demonstration was held at Black Hill Regional Park in Boyds and included the use of battery powered leaf blowers, string trimmers and mowers.
The parks staff uses more than 700 electric powered pieces of equipment. The department also has a fleet of 43 hybrid or fully electric vehicles.
On Tuesday, the County Council approved legislation that moves Montgomery further away from gas powered equipment by prohibiting the sale and use of gas-powered leaf blowers.
Councilmember Gabe Albornoz was the lone vote in opposition.
“Montgomery County is moving toward electric leaf blowers because it is an important step to address environmental, noise and health concerns in our community,” said Council President Evan Glass.
The sale of gas-powered leaf blowers and vacuums will be banned as of July 1, 2024. The use of the machines will be outlawed as of July 1, 2025.
The legislation enables creation of a grant program that will partially offset the cost of replacing a combustion engine-powered leaf blower or leaf vacuum with an electric model.
Details of the grant program will be established by the Montgomery County Executive’s office by March 30, 2024 and then approved by the council.
“Today we took action to reduce disruptive, excessive and unhealthy noise in our communities, following our Climate Action Plan to reduce fossil emissions,” said Councilmember Kate Stewart in a news release.
At Montgomery Parks Electric Equipment Showcase, we demonstrated our transition from noise & air polluting gas powered equipment to electric. Leaf blowers, string trimmers, chainsaws, mowers & more. Thank you to CM @MarilynBalcombe and staff from CM @NataliFGonzalez for attending pic.twitter.com/4p0yBjSDa4
— Mike Riley (@MikeRileyParks) September 27, 2023
